Authorities eye surveillance for recalcitrant neighborhood

PLAQUEMINE, La. (AP) — Authorities near Plaquemine, Louisiana, are seeking at least $400,000 in surveillance technology to monitor a neighborhood they say won't help with investigations.

The Advocate reports Police Chief Kenny Payne and Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi on Tuesday requested the funding from the Plaquemine Board of Selectmen. They say it will provide cameras, license plate readers and ShotSpotter devices, which use audio technology to identify gunshots. Payne says cameras won't face into homes or yards.

Payne and Stassi say the community often opts to not notify authorities of crimes, such as a shooting last month that killed a 14-year-old. Payne says a report of gunshots came from a mile away, delaying the boy's medical treatment and examination of undisturbed evidence.

The board said it'll discuss the funding closer to budget presentations.